He could just as easily suffer a career ending injury and never be able to play football again. Being able to play football tomorrow isn't guaranteed to thes kids, and he's turning down immediate millions of dollars, for something that is not guaranteed to him. I'd call that a selfless act, absolutely.

Like I said, there are other factors. He gets a lot out of being at Michigan, like most of us did, and he is willing to take a chance based on this value. If the decision were as simple as the football factors you stated, I would just call it 'stupid'. Why would it be good to not think about your own well-being?

It's not at all selfless for Taylor to stay at Michigan. He gets a tremendous amount of satisfaction from it, obviously more than millions of dollars could buy. Not everyone is like that. But to Taylor, staying at Michigan was worth more than going to the NFL. It's not selfless to do what you want, it's selfish, and it's right and proper (as long as you don't violate anyone else's rights, of course).

If you don't recognize goblueram's avatar, it's from the cover of Atlas Shrugged, which explains in (possibly way too much) detail why selfishness is a virtue. Somewhat funny in this context that your avatar is You Know Who.

I agree, this is selfless in the sense that it doesn't benefit him as much to stay as it does to go to the pros. It's not totally selfless, he is covering his ass with the insurance policy (which is just smart). But, that NFL paycheck is probably the best decision for his long term future.

He feels a strong connection to the team, which is a virtue we prize highly as Michigan fans, and sports fans in general. He wants to come back to help his teammates win and become better players. Very selfless. If he felt no loyalty to his team he would be looking for real estate in Philly or Cleveland right now.

This is a big risk for him - I mean he could get rolled up on on the first snap of 2013 (God forbid). I'm glad he's coming back and I'm proud of him for making a decision we so rarely see nowadays! Thanks Taylor and Go Blue!

Sweet Jesus Christ, the guy was arguing about whether or not something that we all agree was awesome was also selfish or not. Just because he has an opinion, you accuse him of thinking he's smarter, more nuanced, and more sophisticated than other people? Get off your high horse and accept that people can have different opinions without being wrongmeanbad.

Debate altruism if you want (to the extent that it's allowed here, so pretty much theory only) but there's no reason to take it to another level where you're questioning someone's intelligence based on the philosophical beliefs they hold, which in this case also are, or are close to, political.

We bring you to Michigan to take care of Michigan. Your job is to protect that block M.
-Carol Hutchins

Pretty sure the dude regurgitating Randbytes with the Atlas Shrugged avatar is the one bringing politics to the board here. This is largely why I was irritated.

Also, my personal philosophical belief is to live every week like it's Shark Week, just like Tracy Jordan teaches. No one better criticize that, neither.

EDIT: Ok, Shark Week is my snarky analogy. Here's a better one: I'm a social darwinist, and I think that humanity is defined by a struggle between races where only the superior will survive. Not saying which races are superior/inferior - just keeping it on the level of theory. And when something Michigan football-related comes up that reminds of some of the social darwinist ideas I think are cool, I might draw the parallel there. Nothing political or anything like that. Just my philosophy.

home on I-94 and trying to see his decision. It took me until this point in the post. Taylor Lewan decides to return to the Univeristy of Michigan for his final year. He says that Team 134 will be special and he wants to be a part of it.

Now I would never admit to any crime however WTKA does not reach to Macomb County. So I had to do what I had to do. I appologize to anyone near 23 Nukle Road when I almost went into the ditch when I got to this point in the thread and I did the fist pump, flashed my lights and sounded my horn.

Thank You Taylor. You have certainly proved that Michigan is the Leaders and Best.

Why u say that? We'll have a awesome left tackle and a decent right tackle. Who will play center and the two guard positions? One guy doesn't make a offensive line great. Central Michigan has a stud playing left tackle. Do you consider their line awesome?

but rather, what would it had been like if he returned? It's a purely speculative thought. I wholeheartedly agree with you. Woodson had virtually no personal motivation to return. The only argument for staying I can conjure up would be to equal Archie Griffin's repeat.

Would he have played more WR? Blitz more? It's fun to think about, IMO.

That said, this is Taylor's thread. Hooray Taylor! I'd love it if the coaches could figure out a way to get him a TD on a tackle-eligible play on senior day.

While I am happy that Lewan is coming back, this decision does not make him a Michigan Man in my eyes. I believe that he already was a Michigan Man, even if he left, due to his hard work and representing the university with class and dignity. That being said, WHOOOOO!!!!

first, hoke didn't sound surprised. He probably knew Lewan was staying and is still going after more OL. Second, anyone coming in for 2013 was going to redshirt. By the time they would have played, Lewan was going to be gone anyways. This doesn't change that. I bet we still do get that 6th OL.

I like it obviously, but even more than liking that he's coming back and how that will improve our team, I like the reasons he wants to come back. I like how he talked about team, helping the young offensive lineman, being a leader of Team 134, and helping the team get a B1G championship. Hoke et al. are really doing an excellent job of instilling the proper perspective, attitudes, and leadership qualities of what a team should be. Not many people would pass up millions to come back and help their college team improve. These past few classes of seniors has really impressed me by how they've all seemed to buy into what Hoke et al. are saying, especially for a group that he didn't recruit. They are some good people.

Strength equipment is expensive and guarantees you nothing. A strong will is free and can give you everything you want.

Hoke is the perfect figurehead for a university and I like what we have here. Two quality coordinators (when combined, one might be a lot better than the other individually, lol) a quality staff, and a coach who sets the tone.

I don't think this decision had any bearing on whether he was a "Michigan Man" or not. 90/100 of us would have made the leap after a great individual season and a Top 10 projection. I'm thrilled he's coming back, but shocked frankly. He didn't need to leave millions on the table and come back for a 5th year to earn the "Michigan Man" designation.

I agree that he would have been a Michigan Man regardless, but I think people are focusing too much on the money. If you go pro, you forfeit your college eligibility forever. If you stay, as long as you don't get hurt, the money will still be there in a year.

"This is a program in transition, this is a program that's going back to hard-nosed, big-boy football," Brandon said. "We're in the process of putting the pieces in place to afford us to do that consistently and effectively.

Amazing decision. It takes a lot to pass up that money right now but I believe he is the type of kid that understands College contains the best years of your life and next year he will be a top 5 pick. Good for him

The dude was a "Michigan Man" regardless of his decision. To me, his announcement to return didn't enhance his status as a Michigan Man at all. He already gave his blood and sweat and is graduating with a degree. I am thrilled that he is coming back to say the least, but it was more important he made a personal decision that was right for him.

chance to become a legendary UM figure (not just one of the great UM OL)

chance to be a top 5 pick and earn more money, though starting a year later

Is guaranteed millions with insurance even if injured

I think it was expected and accepted that he would go pro. But he choose to stay for the above reasons plus more of his own, such as wanting to stay on campus and play with this team longer. Selfish only b/c he loves being at UM. The best kind of selfish that places the value of other experiences over the singular value of money.

Lewan was certainly a Michigan Man before today. But after today, I think he is in a very special class that have played here. Captain, for sure.

“True loyalty is that quality of service that grows under adversity and expands in defeat. Any street urchin can shout applause in victory, but it takes character to stand fast in defeat. One is noise — the other, loyalty.”